nonplussed 1 of 2

variants also nonplused
as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do the self-possessed actress seemed uncharacteristically nonplussed after the director's harsh appraisal of her performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonplussed

2 of 2

verb

variants also nonplused
past tense of nonplus

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nonplussed
Adjective
During the tour, journalists and diplomats were taken through a large warehouse, with airport workers looking nonplussed as the group walked between shambolic piles of boxes and floor-to-ceiling shelving units. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024 The editors do the couple hilariously dirty by continuing to roll (PG-13) footage of their rendezvous in a split screen as Barbie and Kyle each offer their nonplussed commentary. Molly Fitzpatrick, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2024 As the knives come out, DP Balthazar Lab gazes across variously flushed or nonplussed faces, lit by candlelight that becomes progressively less cozy with each passing minute. Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024 Swift seemingly didn't react, sipping her drink and appearing nonplussed. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nonplussed 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
  • That left Ferentz to answer for McNamara’s situation on Tuesday, and the head coach seemed perplexed by how to describe it.
    Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024
  • At an Omaha Beach event honoring the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Dr. Jill Biden quickly escorts Joe Biden away leaving a seemingly perplexed French President Emmanuel Macron to honor WW2 veterans alone.
    Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu and Sara Swann, Austin American-Statesman, 8 June 2024
Adjective
  • The clip received more than 3,900 shares and 4.1 million views on X. In the footage a young girl dressed in pink walks along the chilled aisle of a superstore, throwing products as bewildered customers look on.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
  • In May, police officers in the town of Lufkin, Texas responded to a bewildered call about a pair of kangaroos that were on the loose.
    Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 19 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The most interesting aspect that came out of that time with him — besides a green light to make the movie — was that Bob also was a little baffled about the events that went down in the course of our movie.
    Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Murphy made the remark during an interview with WNYC as the public and lawmakers remain baffled over the source of the large drones.
    Greg Norman, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • However, the Madea star said his science teacher then asked him about dissecting the animal, which confused a young Perry.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, the state’s agriculture department, which had been routinely testing Raw Farm milk products kept getting negative results — leaving infectious disease experts confused.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Don’t be embarrassed to get outside help or an agency to do the initial content work for you.
    Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Games where there needs to be a legitimate response and pushback. After being embarrassed 5-1 by the Boston Bruins on Saturday night — one of several lacklustre showings at Rogers Arena this season — the Vancouver Canucks had to show up with a strong effort against the Colorado Avalanche.
    Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Moreover, watching scammers get flustered sheds light on the lengths these criminals will go to and highlights the importance of staying vigilant against their schemes.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024
  • But on this day’s errand, in the New Pioneer produce aisle, Greenwell could be mistaken for someone a little more quotidian: an obliging, slightly flustered midwestern husband.
    Sarah Thankam Mathews, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near nonplussed

Cite this Entry

“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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